I can hardly believe that about half of a year has gone by since I last updated my blog. And although I have many good reasons why this happened, I am not necessarily pleased to realize that time flew out of my hands in such manner, and that a long absence from this space occurred for me.

So before moving into 2015 and start fresh, I thought I would still gather images highlighting some of what 2014 looked like for me . I’ve been meaning to share them with you for a while, and now is a perfect time to do so.

The year 2014 involved a lot of memorable trips, some for work with workshops, and some for fun with family time–with food always sneaking in the middle. I am truly thankful for the year and what it brought along.

You will see why–be prepared, this is a long overdue series of photos.

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Fast forward to the middle of winter.

In February, we took a family trip to Costa Rica for some rest in a pretty home on the Pacific coast. Lulu has kept asking that we return since then.

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In April, I traveled to France to teach two food styling and photography workshops in Paris with my stylist and photographer friend Sandra. What a blast we had! Those students who came to meet us were incredible.

Spring was in full bloom.

After twelve days in Paris, I took the TGV to the northeastern part of France to meet my parents and Lulu (who had stayed with them while I was working) for some family time.

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I was only back in Boston that it was almost time to leave again.

In June, I traveled to Europe again, to England this time, in order to teach another food styling and photography workshop at HawthbushFarm in East Sussex.

The place that welcomed us was beyond expectations! And the group that traveled to meet Leigh, Alison, and I delightful!

Between styling and photography sessions, we visited local beauties, like the Seven Sisters Cliffs where we enjoyed a picnic (which the pretty Danish homeware company Rice kindly sponsored).

I felt lucky to be assisted by Alison and Leigh, such talents. While Leigh always made sure that everything ran smoothly for me to teach, Alison prepared delicious meals for us.

We picked cherries too.

(Photos of me taken by Leigh Metcalf)

This trip made me fall in love with England and its countryside once more.

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Back in France, it was time to enjoy local strawberries, cherries, and my mother’s homegrown vegetables.

And a slice of the Lorraine countryside as I know it in the depth of summer.

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A few weeks later in late July, Lulu, P. and I took a short plane ride from Paris to Reykjavik inIceland. We were looking forward to surrounding ourselves with sceneries made of summery green pastures interspersed with overfilled cascades and torrents.

It was our third time in Iceland and Lulu’s first. The magic which had touched us before happened again as we traveled throughout the island.

Iceland invariably leaves us mesmerized.

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Once back to Boston, summer gently left room for fall to settle in. It was then the time for Lulu to be back in school. But apple orchards were ready for us to visit.

If you’ve been to New England before, you know that autumn here and its vivid colors is stunning.

It’s naturally become one of my favorite times of the year to spend outdoors, taking long walks in forests nearby, and in the kitchen to bake tartes aux pommes (apple tarts) and make compote de pommes (stewed apples).

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When Lulu was off school for a week in October, we decided to rent a lovely home tucked in a forest on Martha’s Vineyardisland. I cooked a storm as the house was superbly equipped with a chef kitchen and all the cooking gear any aspiring cook can dream of.

Morning bike rides were followed by walks with picnics taken on immense beaches which we literally had all to ourselves.

Chocolate sneaked in. With cakes and cookies always ready to be baked.

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On Christmas day, our sweet Lulu turned six. Friends came over to share a meal with us.

There was a requisite chocolate mousse cake to celebrate.

Lulu’s favorite birthday cake, she tells me.

You may like to know that you will find the recipe for this delightful cake soon in my new upcoming cookbook. Because all along in 2014, I’ve diligently kept working on that book. Little by little. Month after month.

I am excited thinking it will be out for you to enjoy soon. My editor and I are putting joined efforts in making it feel and look amazing.

And do you also know what else I have to tell you?

I have to tell you something fairly big for me and my little family.

If I’ve been absent and also regrettably canceling a few workshops I had planned to hold in Brooklyn, Sicily, and Mexico, with my dear foodie friends Karen, Fabrizia, and Angela, it’s because I have something else amazing in the cooking.

I’ve been anxious and nervous to share the news for real reasons. But only two months away now, I can find more courage to let you know that I am expecting a second baby in late February.

2015, for sure, is promising us a new beginning.

A new adventure in motherhood and marvelous discoveries for our family.

What beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing your life, images, recipes, and wonderful family news with us! I feel I get to travel the world through your camera. I love my copy of “LTG” – can’t wait for your your next cookbook! (-:

Wouah ! You just made me cry, such beautiful news, pictures and in all of them such happiness and beauty !
I wish you the very best to continue in 2015 !
And I also cannot believe Lulu turned 6, I’ve been reading your blog since before she came into this world and it seems like yesterday to me… Time flies !
Bonne Année !

Woo hoo!!! New post no matter how much time has passed -its Beautiful and inspiring!!! You had quite a year Bea!!! Its a nice snapshot to summarize the events.
2015 will be surely very exciting too. And we feel connected to your news and u know why. We look forward to receive your news and sharing your excitement.
Katya et William, russe-francais 😉

Hello! This is my first comment to you, here, but you have been living happily and deliciously in my kitchen for several months, now! 🙂

I just want to say a wonderful congratulations to you as you look forward to your baby coming and that your house and trip (and that kitchen) in Martha’s Vineyard sounds like an absolute dream and that picture of the young girl with the daisies and the huge smile is precious beyond words!! 🙂

Beautiful fotos and lovely colours 🙂
Congratulations with the new baby!
I hope there will be other workshops in Europe in the future. I would really much like to participate!
Best wishes from Denmark,
Connie E.

What a furious post, with such amazing news! I wish you all the best for your family,it is so exciting to welcome a new family member! And I can’t wait to hold your second book in my hands. I just love the first one and yor style!
Beautiful pictures!

Congratulations on the new baby coming in Feb!! I was wondering if you could tell me where you bought that unusual bundt cake pan with the dots and swirls on top??? I have just fallen in love with it :).

Well worth the wait. Where do I start? Wishing you all the best for so many things, your bébé, how wonderful, new book, continued success in all of your creative endeavors, health happiness to you and your family. My thoughts are in Paris, no no not Paris, so very sad . . . hope everyone in your circle of friends, family are safe.

Dear Béa, I only just read this wonderful news and I’m so incredibly excited for you and your family. I wish you a few wonderful last weeks of pregnancy and all the best of luck, health and happiness for the time ahead. xoxo from the Netherlands, Denise

Congratulations, Bea to you
and your lovely family.
Hope to see you in Boston
again…was there for your
first cookbook and I’m looking
forward to your next one.
Congratulations to you, Lulu,
for becoming a big sister!
Cathy

Amazing journal of what’s gone through your previous year. Congratulations on your baby, and hope that you will have more adventures for food and travel. You’ve been to so many places, it’s a shame to put a stop to it now. Keep sharing your great food finds, travel adventures, and more. Hope to read more from your blog soon!

Congratulations, all the blessing to you and your happy family!
I’ve just recently found your blog and while I’ll diligently wait for the upcoming posts, I will dig straight into the archive for now :)!

Dear Bea,
I might tell you before somewhere in the comments here that your blog was one of.. 2 I read and enjoyed regularly. Even if you post rarely, archives are beautiful and full of inspiration.
Since I started following your blog, I moved to another country and became a mother too.
I wish I could bring so much beauty into life of my daughter as you do for Lulu.
Congratulations with the second baby and I hope that everything is fine and you are back here soon with the new pics of your family and creations.
With admiration,
Xenia

Xenia, thanks so much for the kind words. They touch me. And many congratulations on becoming a mother too to a beautiful girl. I surely hope to be back soon with stories and pictures and tasty food! Thanks again!

Felicitations! What a lovely post, looking past to once again savour lovely moments and friends, and then looking ahead and sharing delightful news with us. What wondrous gifts God has given you: two little ones to cherish. The love you have for your family is like a precious jewel. Thank you for sharing so much beauty and brilliance with us, a reflection of your Marvelous Creative God. Your photos and recipes are generous and as good to read and look at as I am sure your food must be.

Je ne peux plus imaginer les jours sans voir tes photos… They reach deep into my Spirit, which senses space abd time thru specific imagery, and awaken my Soul!!! Inevitably, my Soul rushes to the surgace, taking a huge first breath of Life Explained… recomposing itself, it purposefully looks around to dwell on the beauty, fragrance, and texture of each one of your photos of captured existence…

It has been so each time I have sought for your eyes–the enchanted viewer of the magical beauty+essence of WHAT is… but, today, I could NOT leave without telling it to you…

Béatrice Peltre is a food writer, stylist and photographer working out of her home studio in Boston.
She is a regular contributor to the Boston Globe Food Section, and her work has appeared in many publications
such as Saveur, Food and Wine, Whole Living, Fine Cooking, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, the Huffington Post,
the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Edible Boston, Living France, the New York Times Diner’s Journal,
and in many other international magazines.